Television Programs that are filling up the memory of my DVR each week

MONDAY

Everwood [WB, 9PM EST] - I consider this one the male version of the Gilmore Girls. It's a great show, has hit on some very timely topics and is always good for a meaningful laugh or a good cry. Unfortunately, it's on hiatus for the summer.

CSI: Miami [CBS, 10pm EST] - The Miami based spinoff of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. Now in it's Second season, this one has really dramatically and creatively surpassed it's parent show, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.
Links: Elyse's Comprehensive CSI: CSI Unofficial Website

TUESDAY

Gilmore Girls [WB, 8PM EST] - Now that Buffy's no longer on the air, this has become my Tuesday night refuge. Smart, funny, interesting and just plain good fun.

Navy NCIS [CBS, 8PM EST] - In it's second season, this Donald Bellisario production is SO much better than CSI, but based on the same premise of a Crime Investigative Service unit for the Navy (from the creators of Jag). This one is funny, thought-provoking and actually does a good job with continuing plotlines, and character involvement than the original CSI:Las Vegas that spawned all these forensic dramas.

Nip/Tuck [FX, 10PM EST] - Started watching this show when it premiered last summer. Dark, edgy, sexy, funny and outrageous. Very well done show and it just keeps getting better (though I still have to watch the plastic surgery segements through the gaps in my fingers where they are clasped over my eyes.... squeamish!)

Queer Eye for the Straight Guy [Bravo, 10PM EST] - I originally resisted the urge to watch this show because I didn't want to see another stereotypical portrayal of gay men for the rest of the world to start judging us by. Then I watched the QESG marathon over New Year's this year. Yes, the Fab Five are quite flamboyant, but they also have good hearts. I was impressed by how the entire show is not about making Straight guys look like gay guys, but more about helping anyone realize the potential within themselves. I became hooked and even bought their book (because I hate to admit it, I'm one of those gay guys who sometimes needs help from the Fab Five).

WEDNESDAY

Smallville [WB, 8PM EST] - I've been watching this secretly for the last couple of years, but this year it's been a breakout season. Very well written and willing to do the necessary story development that a lot of shows are missing. Plus it's nice to see Bo Duke be Superman's daddy, Pa Kent.

Lost [ABC, 8PM EST] - From the creator of Alias, JJ Abrams, this is a very groundbreaking concept. Crash a plane on a dessert island with something rather sinister and unknown on the island, and slowly reveal the characters and the island to us while keeping us in suspense as to whether they will ever make it off alive. Fun.

Sex & the City [WTBS, 10PM EST] - Started watching this one VERY late in the game since I didn't get HBO, so I'm watching the cleaned up version on TBS. It's quite good for some good laughs, though I have to agree with my friend David that it could be played by four gay guys and they wouldn't have to change a thing except the costumes.

THURSDAY

Survivor: Vanuatu [CBS, 8PM EST] - This is the ONLY reality show I watch, and I guess the reason is it's amazing production design. It was the first, and in my opinion the best. I started watching somewhere towards the end of Survivor: Thailand, then watched Surivor: Amazon, and I was hooked. Currently awaiting the next season this fall.

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation [CBS, 9pm EST] - Thoroughly loving this show. Each year it gets better and better. This show is set in Las Vegas and has a really strong and enjoyable cast. This show is losing it's edge, and with the loss of George Eads and Georgia Fox, two of it's regular cast members.

SUNDAY

Charmed [WB, 8pm EST] - A nice show about three sisters who just happen to be witches. From the beginning, they've concentrated less on stories about their amazing supernatural abilities and more on how important it was that they build their familial bond. Probably why I like this show so much.

Alias [ABC, 9pm EST] - Another one of those shows that completely blew me out of the water the first time I watched it. Well constructed, well written, lots of action, lots of drama and lots of cool gadgets. Another show I'm anxiously awaiting the return of sometime in January 2005. Until it does return, we have...

Desperate Housewives [ABC, 9PM EST] - One of the best new shows of the season and with the cast, are we surprised? Peyton Place, Danny Elfman theme music and a sinister sub-plot: how could it NOT work?

Shows I watch WHENEVER they're on

Good Eats [Food Network, 11:30pm EST, usually nightly] - This is a guilty pleasure. One of the funniest and quirkiest of the Food Network's Food hosts, Alton Brown mixes pop culture references with a lot of scientific knowledge into a food show that can only be called... "Good Eats".

Justice League of America [Cartoon Network, varies] - The only remaining child of the Batman Animated creators Bruce Timm, this is another of those animated shows that I never miss. Great adult storylines, phenomenal production design and great voice talent. Never miss it. Now the show has been re-tooled as 'Justice League Unlimited' and is showing more of the bit-players. We'll see how it goes.

Shows either in Syndication or no longer on the air, but that have a special place in my heart (sniff)

Angel - A spin off of the ever popular Buffy the Vampire Slayer, that really came into it's own when Buffy left the WB. The only current Joss Whedon creation on TV. Unfortunately, the WB whacked it last year, so I'm just patiently waiting for the DVD's for the last two seasons to come out. We'll miss you, Angel. Speaking of Buffy...

Buffy the Vampire Slayer - Joss Whedon's first creation for the WB network and the show that essentially launched the network into the hearts of hundreds of fans. Seven seasons, the last two not phenomenal, but jeesh I miss this show. I have all the DVD's, used to host Buffy Season premiere parties and am a major Buffy trivia buff. (heh)

Popular, Gross Pointe & Wonderfalls - Again, EVIL WB (and EVIL Fox Network). Wildly popular, funny, irreverent and groundbreaking television programs that didn't get to last as long as they should have.